11-29-2015, 04:00 AM
A 33-year-old nurse returns to the office because of profuse watery diarrhea for the past 5 days. She tells you that she also has crampy abdominal pain and light-headedness when standing. She was recently treated for chronic sinusitis with 3 weeks of levofloxacin, which she finished 2 days ago. She takes only oral contraceptive pills. Vital signs are temperature 37.8°C (100.0°F), pulse ranging from 72/min sitting to 100/min standing, respirations 12/min, and blood pressure 116/72 mm Hg, sitting, and 100/68 mm Hg, standing. Physical examination shows a woman who appears ill. Chest and cardiac examinations disclose no abnormalities. Abdominal examination shows decreased bowel sounds with diffuse tenderness without rebound. Rectal examination shows no gross blood, but stool is positive for occult blood. If left untreated, this patient's condition is most likely to result in which of the following?
A) Anemia B) Chronic abdominal pain C) Colonic perforation D) Hemolytic uremic syndrome E) Liver failure
A) Anemia B) Chronic abdominal pain C) Colonic perforation D) Hemolytic uremic syndrome E) Liver failure